Passages

FINANCING FUNERALS

According to Lincoln Heritage Funeral Advantage, the average funeral costs between $7,000 and $10,000. It can be easy to overlook planning for such a large expense, and many people may think their funeral costs will be covered by their life insurance policies. However, that isn’t always the case and certain complications can arise. The funeral planning information guide Funeral Basics states that sometimes insurance policies become invalid if payments have not been made. Policies may have liens on them, or some named benefi ciaries may no longer be alive. This can stall the process as issues are worked through. In addition, it can sometimes take between six and eight weeks for benefi ciaries to receive life insurance policy payouts. Since many funerals take place within a week of a person’s death, it’s unlikely that surviving family members will be able to fi nance funerals with life insurance payouts. In addition, some policies may not be assignable, which means the benefi ts cannot be assigned to go to a third party who will fi le the claim for you (i.e., the funeral home or an assignment company with which the funeral home partners). It’s important to determine if an existing policy is assignable and to take appropriate measures if it is not. Individuals may want to consider burial insurance or preneed funeral insurance. Another option is to use preplanning services, which allow people to prepay for funeral expenses and make planning decisions regarding the services and burial so that family members will not be tasked with fi nancing and/or planning a funeral during a diffi cult time in their lives.

Betty Jane Ruch Lindemuth June 12, 2021

Betty Jane Ruch Lindemuth, 96, of DeLand/ Orange City, Florida and Scottsville, New York passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, June 12, 2021. Betty was born in Rochester, New York on April 23, 1925, the daughter of William and Florence (Williams) Ruch. Betty grew up in Churchville, NY and graduated from high school in 1943. Following graduation from high school, Betty attended e School of Nursing of e Rochester General Hospital in Rochester, NY. ere, she graduated in 1946 from their 3-year Registered Nurse program. Following graduation from e School of Nursing, Betty rst worked in the Newborn and Preemie Nurseries at Rochester General Hospital, which was her love. She soon met her husband, Walter (Walt) and they were married in Churchville, NY on June 5, 1948. Betty’s nursing career included working in a pediatrician’s o ce, the Newborn Nursery at St. Mary’s Hospital, and the Children’s Convalescent Hospital, all in Rochester, NY. Betty and Walt eventually ended up in Scottsville, NY, where they lived for 28 years and raised their two daughters. Betty’s nursing career continued in Scottsville where she worked in a General Practice M.D.’s o ce and eventually as a School Nurse at Churchville-Chili School, Sr. High and Kindergarten in Churchville, NY. Betty’s last work prior to retirement was at Cooper Vision in Scottsville, NY where she worked in the soft contact lens department. In Scottsville, Betty was active and over many years volunteered to work at the American Red Cross Blood Drives. Betty was a long-time member of the Union Presbyterian Church and participated in and enjoyed many church groups and activities. Betty, along with Walt, enjoyed long-time friendships through being members of the British American Club. ey attended many British American Club dinner dances over the years as well as travels to Toronto with members of the club. Betty and Walt loved loved spending time with Scottsville friends and enjoyed dining out. Retirement brought Betty and Walt to Orange City, Florida in 1986. ere, Betty was active in their retirement community get-togethers at the Club House and volunteered for numerous committees to help plan events. Betty loved to meet with the ladies to play Scrabble. Betty was an active member of the First Congregational Church of Orange City. ere, she loved singing in the choir, working in the church’s thrift shop, and serving in several other church capacities. Betty and Walt moved to Woodland Towers in DeLand, Florida in August 2017. Over her life, Betty enjoyed ballroom and square dancing, particularly with friends in the British American Club. She enjoyed traveling with Walt, which included several Caribbean cruises, traveling to visit family in NY and CA, and to Walt’s annual reunions of the 490th Bomb Group, which took them to various locations across the United States. Betty loved family, including her sons-in-law and their families. Betty especially loved animals, particularly cats. Betty was proud to have participated in e Nurses’ Health Study, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women’s Hospital for 45 years. All of Betty’s life, she was a kind, generous, sweet soul. Surviving are two daughters, Donna (Pat) Gilligan of Encinitas, CA and Janice Putnam of Naples, NY. Betty is also survived by a brother, Donald (Marilyn) Ruch of Jamestown, CA. Betty was preceded in death by Walter, her husband of 72 years, and her parents. e family would like to thank Woodland Towers and Vitas Hospice Care for the exceptional care that has been provided, most notably since Walt’s passing last July and at the end of Betty’s life. ere were some incredibly special people at both Woodland Towers and Vitas Hospice Care that cared for and loved Betty. We know Betty loved them too. Unfortunately, no service is planned at this time. To share a memory or a condolence, please visit: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ orange-city- /betty-lindemuth-10236738 If donations are considered, Betty would be pleased to have them made to: Journey’s End Animal Sanctuary, 1899 Mercers Fernery Rd., DeLand, FL 32720, e American Red Cross or First Congregational Church of Orange City, 201 W University Ave, Orange City, FL 32763

Lewis VanValkenburg July 5, 2021

Lewis VanValkenburg, 74, of Bergen, NY passed away peacefully at home on July 5, 2021. Lewis was born on October 18, 1946 to Neil and Evelyn VanValkenburg in Batavia, NY. He leaves behind his blushing bride of 52 years, Margy (Bucknam), their children: Kathy (Matt) Barbaro of Cape Cod, MA, Sarah (Rich) Howard of Peosta, IA, Maryann VanValkenburg of Henrietta, NY, Paul ( Jennifer) VanValkenburg of LeRoy, NY, and Neil (Krystal) VanValkenburg of Geneseo, NY; 10 grandchildren, 4 greatgrandchildren; his two sisters, Barbara VanValkenburg of Mt Morris, NY, Beverly Martin of Lancaster, PA; many nieces and nephews, along with very close in-laws, Betty and Patrick White. He married the love of his life on June 21, 1969 in Warsaw, NY. Lewis spent many years working as a farmer and for the Town of Riga Highway Department until his retirement in 2005. In his 30 years of service, he showed integrity, knowledge, ingenuity, and strong work ethic every day. His love of red tractors was second only to his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lewis was a 13 year liver transplant survivor. Please consider becoming an organ donor. In lieu of owers, please make a donation in his name to HomeCare & Hospice, 29 Liberty Street, Ste 6, Batavia, NY 14020, OR the URMC Transplant Patient Needs Fund, URMC Transplant Program, attention Nancy Metzler, Administrator; 601 Elmwood Avenue, Box Surg; Rochester, NY 14642. Family and friends may call on Saturday, July 10 from 10:30am-12:30pm at the Falcone Family Funeral & Cremation Service Inc., 8700 Lake St. Rd. (Rt. 19), LeRoy, where services will be held at 12:30 PM. Interment will follow in Prospect Hill Cemetery, Perry Center, N.Y. Your memories and condolences may be shared with Lewis’ family at www.falconefuneralhome.com “A child educated only at school is an uneducated child...” ~ George Santayana

It seems likely that professional educators subscribe without reservation to Santayana’s “thought.” Some parents seem to feel that the public schools are fully responsible for the education of their children, and they feel absolutely no responsibility for assisting. Indeed, the “support” from such homes may be negative. The schools have a child for a few hours each day. It is in the home where children learn some of the most important lessons. The parents who truly love their children will do all they can to supplement the school’s efforts, especially in the examples they set. We recognize the need of some families for a minimum services at minimum cost. We offer immediate disposition when such service best meets a family’s needs.

Jeff Deragon Alhart Funeral Home

3068 West Main Street • Caledonia • (585) 538-6500 www.alhartfuneralhome.com • Like us on facebook

Li f e i s a se r i e s o f n a t u r a l a n d sp o n t a n e o u s c h a n g e s. Do n ’ t r e si st t h e m - th a t o n l y c r e a t e s so r r o w . Le t r e a l i t y b e r e a l i t y. Le t t h i n g s f l o w n a t u r a l l y fo r w a r d i n w h a t e ve r w a y t h e y l i ke . - La o Tzu